Agua de Jamaica is a refreshing tea infusion made with hibiscus flowers and raw sugar served chilled over ice. One of the most popular “aguas frescas”, this traditional beverage has a sweet and tart taste and a gorgeous ruby color.
It is very popular in Mexico and some parts of Central America. Together with Agua de Horchata and Agua de Sandia (Watermelon agua fresca), this Agua de Jamaica is perfect to quench your thirst on a hot summer day.
What is Agua de Jamaica made from?
Agua de Jamaica is typically made from the tropical Hibiscus sabdariffa flower (commonly known as hibiscus flowers), water, and raw sugar.
The flowers are usually sold in any Latin American store or online (this is an affiliate link and I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you).
What are the benefits of drinking Hibiscus Tea?
Hibiscus tea is rich in vitamin C, minerals and antioxidants and a 2010 study found that consuming hibiscus tea lowers blood pressure.
Does Hibiscus Tea Help Lose Weight?
Some people suggest it helps with weight management as it speeds up your metabolism due to its laxative properties.
I personally find this is pretty far-fetched. However, I guess if your go-to drink is soda pop and you replace it with unsweetened or lightly sweetened Agua de Jamaica this can most definitely be true.
In my opinion, the only thing that will most definitely help with weight loss is an overall nutrient-dense clean diet avoiding (or strongly limiting) overly processed foods and drinks.
Avoid soda pop completely. Instead, drink plenty of plain water or lemon-infused water.
How to make Agua de Jamaica
It is as easy as making any other herbal tea.
- Bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
- Add 1 cup of dried hibiscus flowers and 1/3 to 1/4 cup of turbinado sugar. Add a bit less if using agave nectar or honey instead.
- Stir well and boil for 1-2 minutes. Then cover and remove from heat.
- Let it sit from 5-10 minutes, depending on how strong you want the flavor, then strain the flowers.
- Let the infusion cool and then pour into a pitcher with 4 cups of cold water.
- Add some ice cubes to a glass and pour this refreshing Agua de Jamaica in it. Enjoy!
Is Sugar Necessary in Agua de Jamaica?
Absolutely not! If you love tart-flavored drinks like unsweetened cranberry juice, for example, you will absolutely enjoy Agua de Jamaica unsweetened too.
For me, the flavor is a little too tart so I like to sweeten the tea with as natural sweeteners as possible.
My favorite sweeteners for hibiscus tea are honey, raw sugar, or agave nectar.
Agua de Jamaica
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried hibiscus flowers
- 4 cups water - 1 liter
- 1/4-1/3 cup turbinado sugar - (or less quantity of honey or agave nectar)
- ice cubes
- 4 cups cold water - 1 liter
Instructions
- If you remember the night before, make some special flower ice cubes by placing one hibiscus flower into each compartment of your ice cube tray, fill with water and let freeze overnight.
- Bring water to the boil and once boiling add hibiscus flowers and turbinado sugar. Stir well to make sure the flowers get all wet and don’t just sit on top of the water and the sugar dissolves. Boil for a minute or two, then add the lid and remove from the stove.
- Let sit for about 5-10 minutes (depending on how strong you like your tea), then strain the flours.
- Pour into a pitcher filled with 4 cups of cold water and plenty of ice cubes.
- Serve over more ice and enjoy!
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Annette Sloly says
hello, i’m from Jamaica and we call it sorrel. We brew it in hot water and ginger overnight, strain it, add brown sugar and have it as a refreshing cold drink- mostly around Christmas time. the buds are harvested, dried, and stored for year round use.
Donna says
I don’t get the part about hibiscus tea being served only in Mexico since hibiscus tea is served in a lot of restaurants and eateries right here in America. I’m an American and I’ve been drinking it since I was a kid. My grandparents and parents drank it to. Maybe that’s why they lived so long. Good Norwegian genes too :). Nice drink which reminds me I need to go have my daily cup.
Lorena says
Hi Donna, I didn’t know hibiscus tea was popular in America. I’m German and grew up in Germany and got married to a Mexican and lived in Mexico for a couple of years. That’s where I first drank hibiscus tea. I didn’t refer to hibiscus tea only being served in Mexico. I meant “Agua de Jamaica” which is what they call it in Mexico and it’s ice cold sweetened hibiscus tea. I’ve mainly heard other countries serve hot hibiscus tea?
Austin says
Where does one procure dried Hibiscus flowers?
Lorena says
Hi Austin, it depends on where you live. In Mexiko at any market or grocery store. Here in Canada at my local health food store. In the US it’s easy, too. You can order on Amazon here (this is an affiliate link and I get a small commission if you purchase it through that link without any additional cost to you) >> http://amzn.to/2xEYqKg
Scott Groth says
I’ve never had this before, but it looks fantastic. I’ve been drinking hibiscus tea for years to help with blood pressure- what a wonderful twist!
Lorena says
I’m glad you like it Scott! Wait for Sunday, I’ll post the recipe for the other of the two most popular non-alcoholic Mexican beverages :D
The FoodOlic says
Looking forward to experiment with those flowers!! Thanks for the recipe!
Lorena says
You are very welcome :)
Trish says
Oooooh YES! I love this stuff! I drank it like crazy the first time I went to Mexico. SO GOOD LORENA!
Lorena says
Thank you Trish!! :D